Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos

Residency: Year-round throughout Arizona.

Diet: Mostly aquatic vegetation, but also grains and insects. 

Predators: Coyote and Great-horned Owl. Striped skunk eats eggs. During breeding season females are preyed upon more than males.

Nesting: Nest is reeds and grasses lined with down, on ground near water.  Eggs: 8-10 per clutch, pale greenish color, 1 brood per season

Nesting Records: Scottsdale Community College.

Notes: Male defends feeding area in water while female is building nest.  Male has iridescent green head.  Female is brown streaked. They will return to place of birth.

Photo: Taken at the Watt Preserve on January 2, 2007. For more photos, click on camera icon.

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